“Never Give Up”: Heartwarming Moment As 13-Year Minor Leaguer Gets 1st MLB At-Bat

13 years in the minor leagues. 1,155 games. Zero major league at-bats. Until Wednesday night. The scene in Pittsburgh for 33-year-old minor league lifer Drew Maggi as he officially stepped up to the plate to become a major leaguer, was heartwarming to say the least.

33-year-old rookie Drew Maggi received a standing ovation at PNC Park ahead of his first Major League at-bat.

He’s played in 1,155 minor-league games over 13 seasons.

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— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 27, 2023

A standing ovation from the Pittsburgh Pirates faithful. And so what if he struck out, it's a memory he will forever have. One he's waited 13 years for. And he absolutely appreciated every moment of it. 

In his first MLB postgame interview, Drew Maggi says anything is possible.

“Never give up no matter what you're doing. If you love something, go for it."

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— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 27, 2023

"I can't explain what I was feeling in the box... The crowd cheering my name, I got my parents here, my three brothers... This is unbelievable... Thank you everybody.

"My heart started pumping,  and I was like 'this is it, this is the moment.'... Something I've been waiting so long for." 

As for his message that he'll take away from this:

“Never give up no matter what you're doing. If you love something, go for it."

Maggi has a minor league career .254 average with a .697 OPS, and 222 stolen bases. And a story of his major league debut that he'll have forever.